Acquisition of an item based on a catalog presentation of items

ABSTRACT

An electronic service provides an electronic catalog to a user. The electronic catalog can include a plurality of descriptions of items. The electronic catalog can also include a plurality of prompts which allow the user to acquire the items described in the electronic catalog. The items in the electronic catalog can be determined by static and/or dynamic considerations.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to co-pending U.S. application Ser. No.11/537,484, filed on the same date as the present application, entitled“Expedited Acquisition of a Digital Item Following a Sample Presentationof the Item,” naming the inventor of Thomas A. Ryan. This co-pendingapplication is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Wide area networks, such as the Internet, provide an increasinglypopular mechanism for allowing users to acquire and consume digitalcontent. In a typical scenario, a network-accessible book merchant canfacilitate the downloading of an electronic book (e.g., an “eBook”) to alocal store of a media device (e.g., an eBook reader device). At a latertime, the user can retrieve this electronic content for playback fromthe local store of the media device. Many users find this type ofservice attractive because it avoids the time-consuming need to visit abrick and mortar establishment to purchase books, music, and so forth.Further, storing digital content in electronic form is morespace-efficient than maintaining a library of bulky physical books, CDs,etc.

However, the above-described model is not without its shortcomings. Insome cases, a user may find it cumbersome to interact with a remoteservice to obtain digital content. As appreciated by the presentinventor, a service that is perceived as cumbersome may not adequatelyinspire the same kind of spontaneity in which users sometimes makepurchases in a physical establishment. Thus, such a service maynegatively affect sales.

For at least the above-identified reasons, there is a need for moresatisfactory approaches to electronically providing digital content tousers.

SUMMARY

According to one exemplary implementation, an electronic serviceprovides a sample of an item to a user, along with a prompt. The promptgives the user the opportunity to receive an additional part of the itemsubstantially without further interaction with the user. The streamlinedacquisition of the additional part of the media item is enabled by theuser's establishment, in advance, of user identification information andpayment information.

According to another exemplary implementation, an electronic serviceprovides an electronic catalog to a user. The electronic catalog caninclude a plurality of descriptions of items. The electronic catalog canalso include a plurality of prompts which allow the user to acquire theitems described in the electronic catalog. The items in the electroniccatalog can be determined by static and/or dynamic considerations.

Additional exemplary implementations and attendant benefits aredescribed in the following.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary system for implementing an electronic servicefor downloading items. In one implementation, this service provides asample of an item to a user, along with a prompt. The prompt invites theuser to acquire an additional part of the item without substantialfurther interaction with the service. In another implementation, theservice provides a catalog to a user containing plural prompts. Theprompts enable the user to acquire items from the catalog.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary user interface (UI) presentation for enteringuser information and payment information, enabling a user to acquire anitem without substantial further interaction with the service.

FIG. 3A shows an exemplary UI presentation for acquiring a sample usingdifferent sample-acquisition techniques.

FIG. 3B shows another exemplary UI presentation for acquiring a sampleor an entire item in the context of an item detail page.

FIG. 4A shows one exemplary UI presentation for presenting a sample. Thesample contains a prompt, namely, an exemplary “Acquire the Rest”prompt, which invites the user to acquire an additional part of theitem.

FIG. 4B shows another exemplary UI presentation for acquiring an item.In this case, the UI presentation provides a prompt at the end of onecomponent item, inviting the user to acquire another component item.

FIG. 4C shows another exemplary UI presentation for acquiring an item.In this case, the UI presentation provides a prompt near the end of onecomponent item in response to a triggering event related to the user'sconsumption of the component item.

FIG. 5 shows different exemplary types of prompts that can be employedin the UI presentation of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show exemplary UI presentations for forwarding a sample(or an invitation to receive a sample) to another user, such as a socialcontact (e.g., a friend, family member, etc.).

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary UI presentation that provides an additionalpart of the sample in response to the activation of the “Acquire theRest” prompt in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 shows exemplary processing functionality for implementing anyaspect of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary eBook reader that can be used to interact withthe system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary UI presentation for acquiring an item basedon a catalog presentation.

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary server-side procedure for downloading asample of an item, followed by downloading an additional part of theitem.

FIG. 12 shows an exemplary user-side procedure for receiving a sample ofan item, followed by receiving an additional part of the item.

FIG. 13 shows an exemplary procedure for providing an additionalcomponent item in response to a triggering event.

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary server-side procedure for downloading acatalog, followed by downloading or otherwise acquiring an item that isfeatured in the catalog.

FIG. 15 shows an exemplary user-side procedure for receiving a catalogand then acquiring an item featured in the catalog.

The same numbers are used throughout the disclosure and figures toreference like components and features. Series 100 numbers refer tofeatures originally found in FIG. 1, series 200 numbers refer tofeatures originally found in FIG. 2, series 300 numbers refer tofeatures originally found in FIG. 3, and so on.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to one exemplary implementation, this disclosure sets forth anelectronic service for downloading a sample of an item to a user. Thesample contains (or is otherwise associated with) one or more promptswhich invite the user to download an additional part of the item. Inresponse to the user's activation of a prompt, the service downloads theadditional part substantially without further interaction with the user.For instance, the user need only click on the prompt to receive theadditional part of the item. The service can acquire the item in thisexpedited manner because the user has provided relevant accountinformation in a set-up procedure, prior to making a download request.By virtue of this provision, the user does not need to supply accountinformation at the time of a downloading event. This aspect, in turn,allows the user to make purchases in a more spontaneous and unencumberedmanner than heretofore provided. This aspect also allows the user toquickly receive a selected item.

According to another exemplary implementation, this disclosure setsforth an electronic service for downloading an electronic catalog to auser. The catalog can include a plurality of item descriptions, inoptional conjunction with a plurality of samples associated with theitems. The catalog can also include a plurality of prompts which allowthe user to acquire the items described in the catalog. This provisionis advantageous because it provides a concise electronic digest fromwhich the user may easily make selections and acquisitions in aspontaneous and unencumbered manner.

The “item” referenced above may comprise any type of content. In thecontext most often evoked herein, the item comprises a digital mediaitem. The media item can include text content, image content, audiocontent, video content, hypertext protocol content, code-bearingcontent, and so on, or any combination of these kinds of content. Inaddition, or alternatively, the item can include machine-readable code,markup language script, and so forth. Two or more kinds of content canbe combined in synchronized fashion using synchronization data. Forexample, text content can be co-related with audio content usingsynchronization data.

The term “item” may refer to a specific unit of merchandisable content,such as a book or an album of music. Alternatively, a unit may refer tosmaller parts of a merchandisable item, such as a chapter of a book or asong in an album. Alternatively, an item may refer to a largercompilation of component items that are related in any manner. Forexample, an item may refer to a book series, a subscription to aperiodical, a multi-CD box set of music, and so forth.

The term “additional part” may refer to any increment of content thatadds to an initially-received sample. In one case, an additional partmay furnish the user with an entire merchandisable unit, such as anentire book. According to one variant of this interpretation, the term“additional part” may refer to a remaining portion of the unit. Forexample, where the entire unit is represented by the symbol Z and thesample is represented by symbol x, the additional part refers to aportion denoted by Z-x. According to another variant of thisinterpretation, the term “additional part” may refer to a complete copyof the entire unit Z (which includes a portion corresponding to samplex, which has already been supplied to the user). In another case, anadditional part may furnish the user with another piece of the entireunit, but not the entire unit. In the latter case, the user cansuccessively activate the prompt to receive the content in piecemealfashion, e.g., to receive an eBook in chapter-by-chapter fashion.

According to another interpretation, an “additional part” may refer toanother part of a more encompassing collection of component items. Forexample, a “sample” may refer to the complete text of an eBook in aparticular series. The electronic service may provide a prompt at theend of the eBook or near the end of the eBook which invites the user toacquire another eBook in the same series, this other eBook constitutingan “additional part” of the entire series.

This disclosure includes the following sections. Section A describes anexemplary electronic system for downloading an item to a user. Section Bdescribes exemplary procedures that explain the operation of theelectronic system of Section A. In each of these main sections, thedisclosure first explains functionality for acquiring an item based on apreliminary presentation of a sample. The disclosure then explainsfunctionality for acquiring an item based on a preliminary presentationof a catalog.

A. Exemplary Systems

As a preliminary matter, the terms logic, module, or functionalitygenerally represent hardware, software, firmware or any combination ofthese elements, or yet some other kind of implementation. For instance,in the case of a software implementation, the terms logic, module, orfunctionality represent program code or other instructions that performspecified tasks when executed on a processing device or devices (e.g.,CPU or CPUs). The program code can be stored in one or moremachine-readable media.

The term machine-readable media or the like refers to any kind of mediumfor retaining information in any form, including various kinds ofstorage devices (magnetic, optical, static, etc.). The termmachine-readable media also encompasses transitory forms of representinginformation, including various hardwired and/or wireless links fortransmitting the information from one point to another.

A.1. System Overview: Functionality for Acquiring an Item Based onPreliminary Presentation of a Sample

FIG. 1 shows an overview of one exemplary system 100 for providing itemsto a device 102 for consumption at the device 102. According to a firstimplementation, the system 100 first downloads a sample of the item. Theuser is then invited to purchase an additional part of the item. Whenthe user responds affirmatively to such a prompt, the system 100downloads the additional part, allowing the user to consume the entireitem or at least another piece of the content.

The system 100 can include an operations center 104 for delivering anitem to the exemplary device 102 via a coupling mechanism 106. Beginningwith the hardware-related aspects of the system 100, the operationscenter 104 can be implemented as one or more server computers (e.g., asa “farm” of such computer servers) and associated databases. Thearchitecture of the operations center 104 can be separated intofront-end components that interface directly with the device 102 andback-end components that can perform offline analysis. Generally, thecomponents of the operations center 104 can be located at a single site,or distributed over plural sites, and can be maintained by a singleentity or plural entities.

In one particular case, the operations center 104 can include a mainsystem for providing a general service for selling goods and servicesover the Internet, such as books, music, etc. A user may interact withthis main system in conventional fashion, e.g., by accessing this systemover the Internet using a browser provided by personal computer or likedevice. This enables the users to review product descriptions, viewshopping cart selections, purchase items, and so on. The operationscenter 104 may also include a separate system for interacting withportable media devices, such as book-reader type devices (also known aseBook readers). For example, the separate system may include technologyfor interacting with the portable media devices via wirelesscommunication.

For example, FIG. 1 shows that the operations center 104 includes mainserver-side item processing functionality (SS-IPF) 108. The SS-IPF 108may maintain a store of items for purchase over the Internet. Theoperations center 104 may also optionally include a separate system 110for interacting with special types of devices, such as portable mediadevices. The separate system 110 can tailor its interaction with theportable media devices to suit their unique characteristics andexpectations. The SS-IPF 108 and the separate system 110 can shareresources in a manner described below.

In one case, the operations center 104 can forward items to the device102 via the separate system 110, which acts as an intermediary. Theseparate system 110 may transform the items into a format that is bestsuited for receipt by the portable media devices.

There are other ways to download an item to the device 102. In anothercase, the operations center 104 can forward an item to a separate device112, and then, the separate device 112 can forward the item to thedevice 102. For example, the operations center 104 can forward the itemvia broadband Internet communication to a personal computer. Thispersonal computer can then forward the item to a personal media devicevia a USB connection or like mechanism. Still other modes of datatransfer are possible.

The device 102 represents any kind of electronic unit which can interactwith the operations center 104 via the coupling mechanism 106. Theexplanation provided below with respect to the representative device 102likewise applies to other devices (not shown), unless otherwise noted.

In one case, the device 102 corresponds to a computer device, such as apersonal computer, laptop computer, and so forth. However, as noted, thedevice 102 may also correspond to a portable type of media device, suchas electronic book-reader device, as well as a Personal DigitalAssistant (PDA) device, a stylus-type input device, a mobile telephonedevice, any kind of wearable computing device, a portable media player(e.g., a portable music player), and so on. Still alternatively, thedevice 102 may correspond to a game console device, a set-top boxcoupled to a television, and so on.

Generically described, the device 102 can include, among other features,a processing unit 114, a presentation unit 116, an input unit 118, and adevice store 120. The processing unit 114 generally corresponds tofunctionality (e.g., software logic, and/or circuitry, etc.) forprocessing information. The presentation unit 116 generally correspondsto any mechanism or combination of mechanisms for presenting theprocessed information. For example, the presentation unit 116 canpresent a graphical user interface 122 for interacting with the user.The input unit 118 generally corresponds to any mechanism or combinationof mechanisms for providing input data to the processing unit 114. Andthe device store 120 includes any kind or combination of memory forretaining downloaded items and other information.

FIG. 8, to be discussed below in turn, provides additional informationregarding generic processing functionality that can be used to implementvarious aspects of the operations center 104, as well as the device 102.FIG. 9, to also be discussed in turn, provides additional informationregarding one exemplary and non-limiting implementation of the device102 as an electronic book-reader device.

The coupling mechanism 106 can correspond to any kind of communicationconduit or combination of communication conduits. In the case mostcommonly evoked in this disclosure, the coupling mechanism 106corresponds to a wide area network, such as the Internet. However, thecoupling mechanism 106 can alternatively, or in addition, comprise otherkinds of communication conduits, such as an intranet, point-to-pointcoupling arrangement, and so forth. In any case, the coupling mechanism106 can include any combination of hardwired links, wireless links,routers, repeaters, gateways, name servers, and so forth (not shown),governed by any protocol or combination of protocols. In particular, asstated above, the system 100 can rely on wireless communicationtechnology to interact with portable media devices, such as electronicbook-reader devices.

Having provided an overview of hardware-related features of the system100, the functional aspects of the system 100 are now set forth ingreater detail, starting with the operations center 104.

The operations center can include one or more server-side stores 124(referred to in the singular below for convenience). This store 124 canstore item records that describes various items that users can purchase(or otherwise acquire), such as books, music, and other products,including “hard goods,” such as clothing articles, electronic goods,etc. This store 124 can also store digital copies of media items thatcan be downloaded to users in lieu of, or in addition to, the physicalshipment of items to users. For instance, the store 124 can retainelectronic copies of books (e.g., eBooks), digital music files, imagecontent (e.g., photographs, etc.), videos, and so on. The store 124 canalso provide other types of content, such as software, markup languagescript, raw data (e.g., financial data, etc.), and so on. More generallystated, the operations center 104 can maintain any kind of data that canbe transferred to the device 102, of any nature, for use in anapplication. In one case, the store 124 can represent a repository ofinformation as maintained by a single entity. In another case, the store124 can represent a distributed repository of information maintained byplural entities, potentially using peer-to-peer (P2P) technology.

The operations center 104 can also include a registration module 126.The registration module 126 allows the user to provide set-upinformation to enable the user to interact with the operations center104. By way of example and not limitation, the set-up information mayallow the user to input: a) user identification information thatidentifies the user; b) payment information that identifies how the userwill pay for item selections (e.g., credit card information and thelike, billing address information, etc.); c) shipment information thatidentifies where physical items selected by the user are to be shipped;d) device information that identifies the device or devices that theuser will use to interact with the operations center 104 (such as thenetwork addresses of these devices and other device-identifyinginformation), and so on. The set-up information can also optionallyallow the user to expressly authorize a provision, to be described,which allows the user to acquire an additional part of a media item inexpedited fashion.

The set-up information entered via the registration module 126 cangovern both the user's online communication with the operations center104 via a personal computer, as well as the user's interaction with theseparate system 110 via a portable media device through wirelesscommunication. In an alternative implementation, separate set-upprotocols can be used to govern access to the main SS-IPF 108 and theseparate system 110.

The operations center 104 further includes a sample selection module128. The purpose of the sample selection module 128 is to forward asample of an item to the user at the device 102. As the name suggests,in one exemplary application, a sample of an item comprises part of theitem, but not the entire item. For example, the sample may comprise anypart of an eBook, such as one or more chapters, one or more pages, oneor more paragraphs, and so on. The partitioning of an eBook can alsodepend on the nature of the information being downloaded. For example,in a book of recipes, a sample can comprise one or more recipes. In abook of poems, the sample may comprise one or more poems. In aperiodical publication or a book series, the sample may comprise acomplete issue or eBook in the series, and so on. As to audio content,the sample may comprise one or more songs from a compilation of songs,one or more snippets from a single song, and so on. No limitation isplaced on how the operations center 104 may choose to partition itemsinto downloadable samples. In still another implementation, the user maybe given the option, with some possible restrictions, as to what part ofan item should be downloaded to the device 102 as a sample. Additionaldetails regarding the sample selection process are provided in a latersubsection.

A sample download module 130 is employed to forward a sample 132 to thedevice 102 via the coupling mechanism 106. The sample download module132 can format the sample in an appropriate manner to accommodate anyunique characteristics of the receiving device 102. For example, thesample downloading module 130 can apply particular formatting to thesample 132 so that it can be read by a book-reader device or other kindof special portable media device. The sample download module 130 canalso optionally format the sample 132 to accommodate a special mode oftransmission to the device 134, such as a wireless mode of transmission.

The sample 132 itself can include a content portion that corresponds tothe text, image information, and/or program content that the user wishesto acquire. The sample 132 may optionally also include metadata 134. Themetadata provides information which is supplemental to the content ofthe item. For instance, the metadata may include keywords or otherinformation which enable the device 102 to search within the sample 132or perform other functions. In one implementation, the sample 132 can beprotected using any kind or combination of access restrictionprovisions, such as a digital rights management (DRM) mechanism. Inanother implementation, no access restriction provisions may be appliedto the sample 132.

Upon receipt, the device 102 can display or otherwise present thesample. The sample may be accompanied by a prompt 136 which invites theuser to acquire an additional part of the item. For instance, the usermay activate this prompt to purchase (or otherwise acquire) the entireitem. As explained above, the additional part may correspond to aremaining portion of the item (excluding the already-downloaded sample)or a complete version of the entire item (including thealready-downloaded sample). Or the user may activate this prompt topurchase (or otherwise acquire) another piece of the item, but not theentire item. Or the user may activate an “Acquire Another” type ofprompt to acquire another component item in a larger collection ofcomponent items, where such larger collection is related based on anycriterion (or criteria). Later sections describe this prompting behaviorin greater detail. By way of overview, the prompt 136 may representinformation that is displayed on the user interface 122 of the device102. The prompt 136 may be associated with the sample itself. Forexample, the prompt may be added to the end of the sample or at anotherjuncture or junctures within the sample, so that when the user reachesthe end of the sample (e.g., by scrolling down) or some other juncturein the sample, the user is presented with the prompt 136. Alternatively,or in addition, the prompt 136 can be associated with parts of a userinterface presentation which are separate from the sample itself. Forexample, the prompt 136 can be provided in a toolbar that is located atthe periphery of a window in which the sample appears. In this case, theprompt 136 does not move when the sample is scrolled. Alternatively, orin addition, the prompt 136 may represent a physical input mechanism,such as an “Acquire the Rest” button that is located on the housing ofthe device 102 or elsewhere. Alternatively, or in addition, the promptmay be an audible prompt, and the system 100 can register the user'sresponse to the prompt 136 using a microphone and voice recognitiontechnology. Still further implementations are possible.

An item acquisition module 138 receives the users request to purchase(or otherwise acquire) an item, and, in response, downloads the item tothe user, or otherwise provides the item to the user. In the specificcontext of the protocol being explained here, the item acquisitionmodule 138 can respond to the user's activation of the “Acquire theRest” prompt 136, thereby forwarding an additional part 140 of the itemto the device 102. As described above, an “additional part” 140 of theitem may correspond to the entire item itself (e.g., an entire book oralbum of songs), or just another piece of the entire content, or anothercomponent item in a larger collection of component items. In analternative implementation, the system 100 can be configured at theoption of one or more users so that the item acquisition module 138forwards the additional part 140 to a different device than the devicewhich received the sample 132.

In one implementation, the additional part 140 can be protected usingany kind or combination of access restriction provisions, such as adigital rights management (DRM) mechanism. In one particular approach,for instance, the sample download module 130 can provide a sample 132that has no DRM protection, and the item download module 142 candownload the additional part 140 which does contain DRM protection. Inan alternative implementation, the operations center 104 can apply noaccess restriction provisions to either the sample 132 or the additionalpart 140.

To perform the above-described role, the item acquisition module 138 canaccess user account information established by the registration module126. This enables the item acquisition module 138 to download theadditional part 140 without any additional interactions with the userbeyond the user activating the “Acquire the Rest” prompt 136. In otherimplementations, the item acquisition module 138 can download theadditional part 140 without substantial user interaction, meaning thatitem acquisition module 138 may still provide for some minimalinteraction with the user. For example, the item acquisition module 138can prompt the user with a Yes/No type of prompt to make sure that theuser really intends to purchase an entire item. This prompt canadditionally show set-up information maintained by the registrationmodule 126, which allows the user to confirm that the user information,payment information, etc. are correct and up-to-date.

The expedited nature of the item acquisition module 138 in downloadingthe additional part 140 is desirable because it provides an intuitive,efficient, and straightforward mechanism that allows the user to acquirean additional item. This provision is also beneficial from thestandpoint of the merchant (or merchants) which administer theoperations center 104. This is because, by virtue of the streamlinednature of the transaction, the user is more likely to make spontaneouspurchases.

An item download module 142 sends the additional part 140 of the item tothe device 102. Like the sample download module 130, the item downloadmodule 142 can perform this task by formatting the additional part 140for transmission over a selected communication channel (e.g., a wirelesscommunication channel) for receipt by a particular type of device (suchas book-reader type of device). The item download module 140 canimmediately or substantially immediately send the additional part 140when the user activates the “Acquire the Rest” prompt 136.Alternatively, the item download module 142 can send the additional part140 to the user in deferred fashion (e.g., when the bandwidth over anetwork is not expected to be high), and/or in staggered or piecemealfashion. The item download module 142 can share one or more processingresources with the sample download module 130; indeed, in one case,these two modules (130, 142) can represent the same module.

Upon receipt, the device 102 can store the additional part 140 in itslocal store 120. The user can retrieve and consume the item from thelocal store 120 at his or her leisure in one session or plural sessions.Alternatively, the device 102 can consume the item in streaming orpiecemeal fashion as it is being sent down by the operations center 104,and so on. In any event, the item can optionally include appropriate DRMprotection to prevent unauthorized access to the content.

Alternatively, the operations center 104 can send the entire item to theuser device 102 prior to the user device 102 requesting it. For example,the operations center 104 can send the entire item to the device 102 atthe same time that the sample 132 is downloaded to the device 102. Inthis case, all of the content except the sample can be encrypted,preventing a user from consuming it. Instead of a downloading operation,when the user activates the prompt 136, the system 100 can authorizeaccess to the already downloaded content, e.g., by giving the userappropriate keys to decrypt the content.

Still further variations of the download process can be implemented.

Finally, the device 102 can include client-side item processingfunctionality (CS-IPF) 144. The CS-IPF 144 performs any complementaryfunctions required to interact with the above-described modules of theoperations center 104. Also, as a general principle, one or more of thefeatures described above as being performed by the operations center 104can alternatively be performed locally by the device 102, or by acombination of the operations center 104 and the device 102.

A.2. Exemplary Mechanisms for Setting Up the Service

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary page 200 that can be provided to a user by theregistration module 126. As described above, the registration module 126can supply this page 200 to the user while the user is connected to theoperations center 104 using a personal computer or like device. Theselections made via this page 200 can also govern the user's interactionwith another device, such as a portable media device (e.g., anelectronic book-reader device). Alternatively, or in addition, theregistration module 126 can supply the page 200 or some variationthereof to a portable media device for interaction with the user viathis device.

The page 200 itself includes a first input section 202 which allows theuser to provide various information items which identify the user. Thepage 200 includes a second input section 204 which allows the user toinput various information items which identify how the user will pay foritems which he or she purchases. The page can also include othersections (not shown), which allow the user to input various informationitems which identify the device(s) which the user will use to interactwith the operations center 104, and so on.

Another acquisition page (not shown) can optionally allow the user toidentify one or more social contacts (friends, family members, etc.) orother users (or devices) with whom the user wishes to interact on aregular basis. This registration task can be performed by allowing theuser to identify the personal addresses of these users (e.g., byproviding the personal Email addresses associated with these users), orby allowing the user to identify the addresses of devices associatedwith these users, and so forth.

Of particular note in the context of the present discussion is aconfirmation section 206. This section optionally allows the user toconfirm whether the user wishes to enable the above-described rapidacquisition of the item in response to the user's activation of the“Acquire the Rest” prompt 136. The user may wish to disable thiscapability for any number of reasons, for example, to discouragechildren from easily making purchases, and so on.

A.3. Exemplary Mechanisms for Receiving and Interacting with Samples

FIG. 3A shows a sample selection page 300 that is optionally enabled bythe sample selection module 128 in possible combination with code storedby the client-side item processing functionality (CS-IPF) 144. This page300 shows a compilation of different input mechanisms for selecting oneor more samples. This page 300 is presented by way of exemplaryexposition and not limitation. Any implementation of this page 300 canadopt any one of the illustrated input mechanisms, or some variant ofone or more of these mechanisms,

In a first sample-related section 302, the system 100 can invite theuser to review samples of items recommended by the operations center 104or some other entity. For example, a merchant may invite the user toselect one or more recently published or released items. Using knownrecommendation technology, a merchant can alternatively, or in addition,invite the user to select one or more samples for items that are relatedto prior selections made the user.

The entity making recommendations can represent some other actor otherthan a merchant who sells items. For instance, a book club or otherorganization can compile recommendations and forward the recommendationsto the user. The user may optionally have an established (andauthorized) relationship with such book club or other organization.Still alternatively, in a second sample-related section 304, the system100 can notify the user that a social contact, such as a friend orfamily member, has forwarded sample selections for the user'sconsideration.

In the first and second selections (302, 304), the sample selectionmodule 128 can provide hypertext links or the like. The user canactivate these links to receive the actual corresponding samples. Thedevice 102 can retrieve these samples either from the operations center104 or from the local store 120 (providing that the actual samples havealready been downloaded to the device 102). Alternatively, instead ofsending an invitation to receive a sample, the sample selection module128 can automatically and directly display the sample itself.

The third section 306 provides yet another way to receive samples. Inthis section, the user can enter a search term. In the case shown inFIG. 3A, the user has entered the term “Cottage Architecture,”indicating a possible desire to review a sample of a book devoted tosmall house architecture. In response to this selection, the sampleselection module 128 and/or the CS-IPF 144 determine whether there is asample that satisfies the search term. In performing this search, thesystem 100 may examine samples that are maintained by the operationscenter 104, and/or samples that have already been downloaded to thelocal store 120 and are searchable via metadata that accompanies thesesamples. In one particular implementation, the system 100 responds to anentered search term by showing at least one item detail page whichsatisfies the user's search selection. If so enabled, the item detailpage can include, among other descriptive information pertaining to theitem, an invitation for the user to receive a sample corresponding tothe item.

FIG. 3B shows an item detail page 350 that invites a recipient user toreceive a sample. In one implementation, the operations center 104provides the item detail page 350 in response to the user's interactionwith the third section 306 shown in FIG. 3A. In another implementation,the operations center 104 provides the item detail page 350 in responseto any other kind of search performed by the user. For instance, theuser can enter relevant key terms into a general search engine toreceive a list of one or more matching items selected from a catalog ofitems. The user can activate the item detail page 350 by clicking on anappropriate entry in the list. Or the user can access the item detailpage 350 by navigating down through a hierarchical categorization ofitems.

The item detail page 350 itself can include a portion 352 that providesa pictorial and/or textual description of the item, various usercomments concerning the item, and so on. The item detail page 350 canalso provide one or more prompts 354 that allow the user to take furtheraction regarding the item. A first prompt 356 (“Buy this Item Now” orthe like) allows the user to purchase the item without necessarilyreceiving an advance sample of the item. A second prompt 358 (“Give Me aSample” or the like) allows the user to receive a sample of the item.The user may activate the second prompt 358 to receive furtherinformation regarding the item, e.g., so as to enable the user to make adecision regarding whether he or she should purchase the item. The itemdetail page 350 can include yet additional types of prompts (not shown).

As a general provision, the sample selection process can employ pushtechnology (in which the sample is pushed down to the device 102 withoutthe user expressly requesting this content), pull technology (in whichthe sample is pulled down to the device 102 when the user makes anexpress request for this content, or a combination of push and pulltechnology.

FIG. 4A shows a sample presentation page 400. As the name suggests, thispage 400 presents a sample of an item to the user. This sample can besent to the user in any of the ways described above with reference toFIGS. 3A and 3B. In another case, the sample can be downloaded to thedevice 102 without the user expressly requesting this content.

A sample identifies a part of a more encompassing body of content. Inthe illustrative case of FIG. 4A, the sample refers to a poem in a bookof poems. The sample presentation can optionally include information 402that identifies the book of poems, as well as a sample poem 404 from thebook.

The sample can be selected based on any number of factors. In one case,the sample selection module 128 can provide predetermined parts of theitem, such as the title, table of contents, index, and so on. Theselection module 128 can also provide a part of the main body of theitem, such as one or more first chapters of the item, one or more firstpages of the item, a predetermined percentage of the item, and so on. Inanother case, the sample selection module 128 can randomly select partsof the item to provide to the user. In another case, the sampleselection module 128 can allow the user to control, to some extent, whatparts of the item are provided as a sample.

In any of the above-identified sample selection options, the sampleselection module 128 can apply appropriate safeguards to prevent theuser from acquiring too much of the item (e.g., all of the item) and/orcritical parts of the sample without purchasing the item. For example,the sample selection module 128 can prevent certain parts of the itemfrom being sent in any circumstance, thereby ensuring that the usercannot retrieve successive samples to reconstruct the entire item. Aco-pending application that provides other techniques which can be usedto govern the selection of samples and the user's interaction with thesamples is: U.S. Ser. No. 11/392,245 (the 245' Application), filed onMar. 29, 2006, entitled, “Automated Monitoring and Control of Access toContent from a Source,” naming the inventors of Brian R. Williams, etal. The 245' Application is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. Any of the techniques described in the 245' Application can beused by the sample selection module 128 to govern the dissemination ofsamples to users.

Further, the sample selection module 128 can apply conventional DRMmechanisms or other known mechanisms to prevent users from copying,printing, or transferring sample content in an unauthorized manner.

Of particular interest in FIG. 4A is the “Acquire the Rest” commandbutton prompt 406. This prompt 406 can be activated by the user in orderto retrieve the rest of the item (e.g., the entire book of poems), or atleast an additional part of the item (e.g., another poem or collectionof poems). In one case, the prompt 406 can be incorporated into thesample presentation itself, e.g., so that it scrolls along with thesample content 404. In the case shown in FIG. 4A, the prompt 406 islocated at the end of the sample 404. But the prompt 406 can also bedisplayed at other junctures in the sample 404, such as at the beginningof the sample 404, at the top or bottom of each page of the sample 404(in those cases in which the sample spans multiple pages), in the middleof the sample 404, and so forth. Generally, a single sample can includea single prompt or multiple prompts dispersed throughout the sample. Inother cases, the page 400 can present the prompt 406 as part of the userinterface that is not directly associated with the sample content 404,such as in a peripheral toolbar portion (not shown). The size, shape,labeling, placement and other characteristics of the prompt 406 can bevaried in a myriad of different ways.

FIG. 4B shows another presentation page 450 that includes a prompt 452to acquire an additional part of an item. Here, however, the term “item”refers to a collection of component items. The “sample” may correspondto one of these component items, and an “additional part” may refer toanother component item in the collection. Thus, whereas the prompt ofFIG. 4A can be characterized as an “Acquire the Rest” type of prompt,the prompt of FIG. 4B is more aptly characterized as an “AcquireAnother” or “Acquire Next” type of prompt.

In the illustrative and non-limiting case of FIG. 4B, the user hasalready downloaded a complete eBook play for Shakespeare's Hamlet, thisentire play constituting the “sample.” The presentation page 450 showsthe last few lines 454 of the play Hamlet. At this juncture, the system100 can display the prompt 452. The prompt 452 invites the user toacquire another of Shakespeare's tragedies, such as Macbeth, the entireplay of Macbeth constituting the “additional part.” When the user clickson this prompt 452, she may quickly receive the entire eBook of Macbeth.The text of Macbeth, in turn, may include a terminal portion whichcontains yet another invitation to purchase another of Shakespeare'stragedies. In this manner, the system 100 can link a series of eBookstogether, allowing the user to acquire one after another. FIG. 4B showsthe presentation of a single prompt 452, but other implementations candisplay plural prompts, e.g., inviting the user to select among pluraltragedies to purchase next.

The component items in a collection of such items can be related in anyway. Without limitation, the following list sets forth exemplary waysthat component items may be linked together:

-   -   One collection of component items can pertain to eBooks, music        or other component items that are published by a particular        publisher (such as Random House) or offered by a particular        merchant.    -   Another collection of component items can pertain to eBooks,        music or other component items that feature a particular artist.    -   Another collection of component items can pertain to eBooks,        music or other component items that are published in a        particular timeframe (such as a collection of the most recent        books being offered by a particular eBook merchant, etc.).    -   Another collection of component items can pertain to eBooks,        music or other component items that belong to an identified        theme, such a philosophy, romance novels, cooking, etc.    -   Another collection of component items can pertain to eBooks,        music or other component items that are identified by any kind        of entity serving in a critical or listing-making role. For        instance, a group of component items can be created based on the        New York Times' best seller list.    -   Another collection of component items can pertain to eBooks,        music or other component items that belong to a defined series,        such as books within a book series, periodicals of any nature,        and so on.    -   Another collection of component items can pertain to eBooks,        music or other component items that are identified by a        particular user. A user may create such a list of items for        general publication without restriction. Or the user may create        such a list for dissemination to a predefined group, such as to        friends. For example, in one case, the user may create a “wish        list” for his or her own consumption. In another case, the user        may send the list to one or more other users.    -   Another collection of component items can pertain to eBooks,        music or other component items that are related to a user's        previous purchases or other item selections, or based on the        user's characteristics, or based on any other relevance-based        considerations.    -   Another collection of component items can pertain to eBooks,        music or other component items that are identified by any kind        of club, such as an eBook club. The club can create lists of        component items based on different types of promotional schemes.    -   Another collection of component items can pertain to eBooks,        music or other component items that are grouped together based        on marketing-related considerations. For example, an advertiser        can pay money to ensure (or at least more readily ensure) that        the prompt 452 features one of the items it wishes to promote.        In this sense, the “Acquire Another” prompt 452 represents        advertising space. Advertisers can competitively bid on this        space in any number of ways.    -   Another collection of component items can pertain to eBooks,        music or other component items that has no overarching rules        governing membership in the collection. For example, the system        100 can employ an engine that selects a next component item        based on the characteristics of a current component item that        the user is consuming. For example, assume that the user is        viewing a cooking eBook relating to Italian cooking, called        “Great Tuscany Deserts”. Based on the keywords in this title,        the system can present a subsequent component item that is        related to cooking, deserts, or perhaps the Tuscany region of        Italy in general (and not necessarily relating to cooking).        Alternatively, or in addition, the system 100 can select a        subsequent item based on empirical data regarding the prior        selections made by a population of users, e.g., by noting that        most users who purchased the book “Great Tuscany Deserts” also        purchased the book “Mediterranean Treats.” In this manner, note        that the user may be presented with a meandering selection of        items that possibly reflects no overarching theme.

Still other bases can be used to create groups of items. Further, thesystem 100 can rely on any combination of the above factors indetermining what type of component items to present to a user.

In more general terms, note that a first class of item groupings maypertain to collections that are defined in advance. That is, themembership of these collections may remain fixed. A second class of itemgroupings may pertain to collections having memberships that candynamically change based on one or more triggering events. For example,a group of component items that corresponds to the New York Times bestseller list can be updated each time that list changes.

FIG. 4C shows yet another presentation page 480 that allows the user toacquire one or more additional component items in the context of theconsumption of a current component item. For instance, in theillustrative case of FIG. 4, the user is currently reading a comedy byShakespeare, entitled “A Midsummer Night's Dream.” At a predeterminedjuncture in the user's consumption of this work, the sample selectionmodule 128 can alert the user to the fact that the user is nearing theend of the work. Message 482 conveys this information. At this juncture,the sample selection module 128 can also provide one or more prompts 484that allow the user to acquire one or more additional component items.Here, the sample selection module 128 presents prompts 484 correspondingto other comedies written by Shakespeare. The user can activate one ormore of these prompts 484 to receive one or more other comedies byShakespeare. Through this provision, the local store 120 of the device102 will likely contain another eBook by the time the user finishesreading “A Midsummer Night's Dream.” This approach is potentiallyadvantageous from both the perspective of the book merchant (e.g.,because it promotes sales) and the user (e.g., because the userconveniently receives relevant books at opportune times).

There are at least two considerations which govern the behavior of theabove-described functionality: (1) the timing at which the sampleselection module 128 invites the user to acquire additional componentitems; and (2) the considerations used to select the additionalcomponent items.

As to the first consideration, the system 100 can detect a triggeringevent which indicates that the user is nearing completion of a currentcomponent item (e.g., “A Midsummer Night's Dream”). The logic whichdetects the triggering event can be implemented by the operations center104 (e.g., by the sample selection module 128), by the user's device102, or by a combination of the operations center 104 and the userdevice 102. According to one exemplary implementation, the local device102 can determine that the user is currently reading the last chapter ofA Midsummer Night's Dream. In response, the local device 102 can notifythe sample selection module 128 of this fact. In response, the sampleselection module 128 can generate the page 480 shown in FIG. 4C. Inanother exemplary implementation, the sample selection module 128 canmonitor the amount of time that has elapsed since downloading AMidsummer Night's Dream to the user. After a predetermined amount oftime has elapsed (e.g., 30 days or any other appropriate interval), thesample selection module 128 can generate the page 480 shown in FIG. 4C.In yet another exemplary implementation, the original downloaded versionof A Midsummer's Night Dream can contain metadata which enables thelocal generation of page 480 without contacting the operations center104 at all. Still other implementations are possible.

However implemented, the triggering event can be based on any one ormore of the following occurrences:

-   -   In one case, as summarized above, a triggering event occurs a        predetermined amount of time after a current component item is        downloaded to the user. This predetermined amount of time can be        defined in advance. Or this predetermined amount of time can be        customized based on the consumption behavior of the user, e.g.,        by noting that the user buys a new book once a month, and so on.        In yet another case, the user may be given the opportunity to        expressly define this predetermined time.    -   In another case, a triggering event occurs when it is detected        that the user has consumed a predetermined amount of a book, or        inversely, that the user has yet to consume a predetermined        remaining amount of the book. For example, this triggering event        can be generated when the user reaches the last chapter of a        book, the last n pages of a book, the last z percent of a book,        and so on. Again, this triggering event can be customized based        on the empirically-determined consumption behavior of the user,        or based on the user's expressly-stated preferences, or based on        both factors.    -   In another case, a triggering event can also take into account        how quickly the user is reading a particular book. For example,        the system 100 can determine that the user is on chapter 12 of a        17-chapter book, but can also detect that the user is reading at        a rate of one chapter every 48 hours. The rate information can        be used to accelerate or delay the generation of the page 480.

Other triggering events can be used to determine when to generate theprompts. Further it should be noted that a triggering event can alsocorrespond to the scenario shown in FIG. 4B, where the user has actuallyfinished reading the eBook.

As to the second of the above-defined considerations, the system 100 canapply any one or more considerations set forth with respect to FIG. 4Bin determining what additional component item(s) to present to the user.

In another implementation of the scenario shown in FIG. 4C, the system100 can present multiple prompts at different points in the user'sconsumption of A Midsummer Nights Dream. These prompts can vary incontent depending on how far the user has progressed in the book, or howclose the user is to finishing the book. For example, the prompts canbecome progressively more detailed and/or obtrusive as the userprogresses through the book.

Finally, the above discussion is framed in the exemplary context ofeBook consumption. However, the same principles set forth above can beapplied to the consumption of any kind of item, such as music.

FIG. 5 shows other kinds of prompts that can be displayed to the user ineither the context of FIG. 4A, 4B, or 4C, or in yet some other context.The sample display pages can optionally include any one of these promptsor any combination of these prompts.

A first prompt 502 invites the user to purchase the entire item. Theentire item can omit the portion corresponding to the sample that hasalready been downloaded, or can include this portion (thereby providingan integral and complete copy of the item). (It is also possible toinclude separate prompts which allow the user to expressly indicatewhether the user wishes to receive a “remaining portion” or a “completeitem”).

A second prompt 504 invites the user to purchase another piece of theitem, but not the entire item.

A third prompt 506 invites the user to find out more about the sample.For instance, activation of this prompt 506 can direct the user to astore user interface, whereupon the user can review additionalinformation about the item in a detail page, and optionally thenpurchase the item using the above-described rapid-acquisition technique.

A fourth prompt 508 invites the user to add an item to his or her wishlist.

A fifth prompt 510 requests the system 100 to show the user othersamples that are related to an identified sample or other identifieditem.

A sixth type of prompt 512 allows the user to acquire another categoryof media associated with the same item. For instance, if the user isviewing a text version of an eBook, she may be given the opportunity topurchase an audio version.

A seventh prompt 514 gives the user the option of sending one or moresamples or other identified items to a friend, family member, or othersocial contact (or, more generally, to any other user or any otherdevice associated with any user). This might give a friend anopportunity to also review the samples and purchase corresponding itemsusing the rapid-acquisition technique described herein. The user canidentify a friend or other social contact in any manner.

For instance, the user can identify a friend or other social contact bytyping in the Email address of that contact, as shown in FIG. 6A. TheEmail address can correspond to the social contact's personal Emailaddress. The social contact may be able to access this personal Emailaddress using any device. Or the address can correspond to an address ofa particular device associated with the social contact, such as an eBookreader device owned by the social contact. In another case, illustratedin FIG. 6B, the user can create, in advance, a group of social contacts.The user can later select a recipient to receive a sample by clicking onone or more of the people (or devices) identified in a displayed list ofsuch pre-established contacts. Still other mechanisms can be used tosend samples to other users or devices.

In a related application, a user can send another user a list ofcomponent items. The list of component items can govern the sequencingof component items in conjunction with the type of presentation 450shown in FIG. 4B. Namely, the user can acquire a first item in a list ofitems. A prompt can appear at the end of this first item that invitesthe user to select a next item that is identified in the list.

Finally, FIG. 7 shows one exemplary page 700 that can be displayed whenthe user activates the “Acquire the Rest” prompt 406 of FIG. 4A. Thatis, in response to the activation of this prompt 406, the itemacquisition module 138 in conjunction with the item download module 142can forward the entire item (or just additional parts of the item) tothe user device 102 for storage in its local store 120. In thisnon-limiting example, the user can access, at his or her leisure, anypart of the book via the page 700 which displays a table of contents 702for the item. One skilled in the art will appreciate that other types ofuser interface presentations can be used to notify a user of the receiptof the additional part, and/or to allow the user to access theadditional part.

A.4. Exemplary Generic Processing Functionality

FIG. 8 shows exemplary processing functionality 800 that can be used toimplement various aspects of the system 100 shown in FIG. 1, such as theuser device 102, the operations center 104, any component of theoperations center 104, and so forth. The processing functionality 800can represent, without limitation, any one or more of: a personalcomputer; a laptop computer; a server-type computer; a book-reader typedevice; a portable media player device; a personal digital assistant(PDA) device; a mobile telephone device; a tablet-type input device; anykind of wearable device; a game console device; a set-top box device,and so on. To facilitate discussion, the processing functionality 800 isdescribed below as specifically implementing the representative userdevice 102, although, as stated, the generic processing functionality800 also sets forth an architecture of a server-type computer that canbe deployed at the operations center 104.

In the local device context, the processing unit 114 of device 102 cancomprise one or more processing components 802 (such as a CPU, neuralnetwork, etc.), RAM 804, RAM 806, media components 808 (such as a harddrive, DVD drive, etc.), a network interface 810 (such as a telephone orcable modem, broadband connectivity mechanism, etc.), and an I/Ointerface 812 for interacting with input devices and output devices. Themedia components 808 can interact with a store, such as the local store120 of FIG. 1. One or more buses 814 couple the above-describedcomponents together.

The output device(s) can include the presentation unit 116, whichpresents the graphical user interface 122. The input device(s) 118 caninclude any one or more of a keyboard, mouse input device, track ballinput device, joystick input device, touch-screen input mechanism, andso forth.

In those cases in which the processing functionality 800 is used toimplement the user device 102, the device's various functions can beimplemented as machine-readable instructions that reside in any storageunit or combination of storage units shown in FIG. 8, and the processor802 can execute these instructions to produce desired operationspertaining to the downloading of samples and items. In those cases inwhich the processing functionality 800 is used to implement theoperations center 104, or some component thereof, the center's variousfunctions can be implemented as machine-readable instructions thatreside in any storage unit or combination of storage units shown in FIG.8, and the processor 802 can execute these instructions to producedesired operations pertaining to the downloading of samples and items.

A.5. Exemplary Book-Reader Device

Among other types of user devices 102, any type of book-reading devicecan be used in the system 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 9 illustrates one suchexemplary book-reading device 900. As the name suggests, thebook-reading device 900 (also referred to herein as an eBook reader) isspecifically tailored for reading books, but it can also be used toreview photos, watch video content, and so forth.

By way of overview, the illustrative eBook reader device 900 can have abody or housing 902, a dual display system comprised of a first display904 and a second display 906, and various input mechanisms. Other typesof eBook readers can be used in the system 100 of FIG. 1. These othereBook readers can vary in one or more respects from the illustrativeeBook reader set forth below.

As to the housing 902, the book-reading device 900 can be configured asa handheld device having a non-symmetrical shape. The non-symmetricalshape allows the device 900 to be held in a similar manner to an actualbook.

The first display 904 in the dual display system can present content ina human-readable format to the user. The content presented in the firstdisplay 904 may take the form of electronic books, newspapers, or otherreadable or viewable materials. For example, the display 904 providesthe text of the electronic books and also depicts any illustrations,tables, or graphic elements that might be contained in the electronicbooks.

The second display 906 of the dual display system can be implemented asa narrow screen located adjacent to the content display 904. The narrowdisplay screen 906 may be responsive to user input registered via, forexample, a finger, a stylus, or other similar pointing device.Additionally, the narrow display screen 906 may enable presentation ofgraphic elements that correspond to content displayed in the contentdisplay 904. These graphic elements may be selected by the user in orderto select the corresponding content in the display 904.

Among many possible input mechanisms, the book-reader device 900 mayalso include a user input tool 908, which can be configured to supportmany diverse operations. For instance, the tool 908 may enable the userto flip through pages, skip chapters, operate the narrow display 906, orscroll through content on the display 904. The tool 908 may beimplemented in many forms, including as a scroll wheel, a thumb wheel, athumb stick, a sensor that detects and registers movement of a user'sthumb or finger, or any other user input mechanism.

The book-reader device 900 may be further equipped with a page turningmechanism 910 to facilitate the turning of pages of an electronic book.The page turning mechanism 910 can be specifically configured tosimulate a tactile riffle feel as the user flips pages in a book. In theillustrated implementation, the page turning mechanism 910 includes atactile member (e.g., a ridge or indentation) juxtaposed with one ormore sensors, and sized to accommodate a user's thumb or finger. Thetactile member provides tactile feedback to the user to simulate theriffle sensation. The sensors detect speed and direction of the user'sthumb or finger, thereby enabling the device to detect gestures offlipping forward or backward through one or more pages of the book.

The book-reader device 900 may also include a plurality of programmablecontrol surfaces 912. For convenience only, FIG. 9 shows four examplesof such control surfaces 912, referenced at 912A, 912B, 912C, and 912D.The control surfaces 912 may be programmed to perform any convenientfunctions related to operating the device 900. The control surfaces 912Aand 912B may be operable with a user's right hand, for example, whilethe control surfaces 912C and 912D may be operable with the user's lefthand.

For example only, the control surface 912A may be programmed to presenta next page (or other logical unit) of content in the content display904 when activated. The control surface 912B may be programmed topresent a menu of options in the content display 904 when activated. Thecontrol surface 912C may be configured similar to the surface 912A, soas to advance the page of content shown in the content display 904.However, the control surface 912C may be operable with the left hand.Finally, the control surface 912D may be programmed to present aprevious page of content in the content display 904.

The book-reader device 900 also includes a keyboard 914, which includesa plurality of keys. In the illustrated implementation, the keyboardincludes at least 26 alphabet keys arranged in a QWERTY format as wellas other function keys (such as space bar, control keys, function keys,and so forth). The keys are separated into two groups including a firstor left-side group of keys 914A and a second or right-side group of keys914B. The key orientation facilitates ergonomic operation by a user'sthumbs when the user is grasping the two lower corners of the device900.

The keys, tools, and turning mechanisms are merely examples of userinterface elements. The book-reading device 900 may further includeother types of actuatable elements that may have dedicated or assignedoperations. For instance, the device 900 may have a power on/off button,and selection keys.

In one implementation, the device 900 can display an “Acquire the Rest”type of prompt, “Acquire Another” type of prompt, or any other of theabove-described types of prompts on any display surface (e.g., on thecontent display 904 and/or on the small display 906). The user canselect such a prompt using any one or more of the input mechanismsdescribed above. The label assigned to the prompt is exemplary only. Inyet another example, the book-reader device 900 can include one or morededicated physical keys, such as an “Acquire the Rest” or “AcquireAnother” key 916, for entering an instruction to acquire the remainderof an item or to acquire another component item in a collection ofcomponent items. In the particular exemplary case of FIG. 9, the key 916is implemented as a function-type key that belongs to the keyboardsection 914. But more generally, the shape, style, placement, kind ofactuation mechanism, labeling, etc. of the key 916 can be varied in anynumber of ways. In still another implementation, the book-reader device900 can include a microphone and associated audio recognition circuitryfor accepting a spoken instruction to “Acquire the Rest” or “AcquireAnother”.

Although not shown, the book-reader device 900 can also include one ormore mechanisms that are specifically tailored for requesting samples,navigating among samples, selecting samples, and so forth.

As also illustrated in FIG. 9, the book-reader device 900 has variousinternal components, which are defined generally as book-readersubsystems 918. In one implementation, the subsystems 918 include systemstorage 920 and a processing unit 922. The processing unit 922 interactswith the system storage 920 to facilitate operation of the book-readerdevice 900. The system storage 920 may be used to store eBooks and othercontent 924, as well as software programs or other executable modules926 that may be executed by the processing unit 922. Examples of suchprograms or modules 926 might include reader programs, control modules(e.g., power management), network connection software, operating models,display drivers, sensor algorithms, page turn detectors, and the like.The programs or modules 926 may also include logic for implementing anyaspect of the above-described functionality for acquiring samples,selecting samples, and downloading additional parts of the items, etc.

Additional information regarding one type of book-reader type device canbe found in the following family of applications, each of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

-   -   U.S. Ser. No. 11/246,293, filed on Mar. 29, 2006, entitled        “Electronic Media Reader Display,” naming the inventors of        Whitehorn, et al.;    -   U.S. Ser. No. 11/246,294, filed on Mar. 29, 2006, entitled        “Electronic Media Reader Keypad,” naming the inventors of        Thomas J. Hobbs, et al.;    -   U.S. Ser. No. 11/246,295, filed on Mar. 29, 2006, entitled        “Wedge-Shaped Electronic Media Reader,” naming the inventors of        Whitehorn et al.;    -   U.S. Ser. No. 11/277,898, filed on Mar. 29, 2006, entitled “Page        Turner For Handheld Electronic Book Reader Device,” naming the        inventors of Gregg E. Zehr, et al.;    -   U.S. Ser. No. 11/277,893, filed on Mar. 29, 2006, entitled        “Handheld Electronic Book Reader Device Having Dual Displays,”        naming the inventors of Gregg E. Zehr, et al.;    -   U.S. Ser. No. 11/277,873, filed on Mar. 29, 2006, entitled        “Handheld Electronic Book Reader Device Having Asymmetrical        Shape,” naming the inventors of Gregg E. Zehr, et al.;    -   U.S. Ser. No. 11/277,876, filed on Mar. 29, 2006, entitled        “Over-the-air Device Provisioning and Activation,” naming the        inventors of Subram Narasimhan, et al.;    -   U.S. Ser. No. 11/277,879, filed on Mar. 29, 2006, entitled        “Keyboard Layout for Handheld Electronic Book Reader Device,”        naming the inventors of Gregg E. Zehr, et al.; and    -   U.S. Ser. No. 11/277,885, filed on Mar. 29, 2006, entitled        “Content Selection and Aggregated Search Results Presentation on        a Handheld Electronic Device,” naming the inventors of        Mitchell A. Yawitz, et al.

A.6. Functionality for Acquiring an Item Based on PreliminaryPresentation of a Catalog

Returning to FIG. 1, according to a second implementation, the system100 can be used to download one or more electronic catalogs (e.g.,eCatalogs) to the user. The catalogs can include one or more promptswhich invite the users to acquire one or more items featured in thecatalogs. The user can acquire these items by actuating these prompts.

According to one implementation of this functionality, the operationscenter 104 can maintain a plurality of electronic catalogs 146 in one ormore of its server side stores 124. The operations center 104 caninclude a catalog selection module 148 that controls the downloading ofthe catalogs 146 to the user device 102, and a catalog download module150 which actually performs the downloading operation.

In one exemplary case, the user can interact with the catalog selectionmodule 148 to receive an electronic catalog by clicking on a linkassociated with this catalog. More specifically, to identify anapplicable catalog, the user can browse though applicable catalogs usingany kind of browsing tool or search tool. The catalog selection module148 can also (or alternatively) present an invitation to download acatalog based on the online behavior of the user or otherconsiderations. For example, if the user is viewing an item detail pagepertaining to hiking boots, the catalog selection module 148 can displaya prompt which invites the user to download a catalog pertaining tohiking boots in general, or perhaps hiking boots produced by aparticular manufacturer. Still alternatively, the catalog selectionmodule 148 can proactively push a catalog down to the device 102 withoutthe user asking for such a catalog.

As to the actual download process, any of the provisions described abovefor downloading the sample 132 can optionally also apply to thedownloading of a catalog 152. For example, the catalog download module150 can optionally download the catalog 152 during off-peak hours.

The catalog 152 itself can comprise any kind of information pertainingto items, including image information, video information, alphanumeric(e.g., text) information, audio information, programmatic information,markup language information, Flash content information or the like, andso forth. In one case, the catalog 152 can provide information whichdescribes the component items that are featured in the catalog.Alternatively, or in addition, the catalog 152 can provide samples ofthe component items featured in the catalog 152. For example, considerthe case in which the catalog 152 features books that belong to aparticular series. The catalog 152 can present samples corresponding tothe first chapters of the books in the series. Finally, the catalog 152can include a collection of prompts. The prompts invite the user toacquire items in the catalog 152.

Consider, for example, the exemplary presentation of one particularcatalog shown in FIG. 10. The page 1000 shown in FIG. 10 includes anumber of entries (e.g., entry 1002, 1004, etc.). Each entry may includea description of a particular product. Each entry can also provide oneor more prompts that allow the user to take further action regarding theitem, such as the prompts 1006 associated with the first entry 1002. Afirst prompt 1008 (“Buy this Item Now” or the like) allows the user topurchase the item without necessarily receiving an advance sample of theitem. A second prompt 1010 (“Give Me a Sample” or the like) allows theuser to receive a sample of the item. The user may activate the secondprompt 1010 to receive further information regarding the item, e.g., soas to enable the user to make a decision regarding whether he or sheshould purchase the item. In one case, the sample can be obtained bysending a sample request to the operations center 104, upon which theoperations center 104 downloads the sample in the manner describedabove. In another case, the catalog may include integrated samplecontent, so that by downloading the catalog, the user has alsodownloaded the samples. In this latter case, the sample can be obtainedfrom a local store of the device 102. Although not shown, the catalogcan include other kinds of prompts, such as, without limitation, any ofthe prompts shown in FIG. 5. Further, while FIG. 10 shows that theprompts are integrated with the entries, the prompts can alternativelybe displayed in a peripheral part of a display (which is not integratedwith the catalog itself), or the prompts can be implemented as physicalbuttons which are aligned with entries in the catalog.

A catalog can be created to group together component items based on anytype of criterion or plural criteria. In connection therewith, anygrouping consideration mentioned above in connection with FIG. 4B (e.g.,in the context of the “Acquire Another” prompt) can be used to create acatalog of related items. But in the current context, the componentitems are presented to the user at the same time, rather than insuccession.

Without limitation, the following list sets forth exemplary types ofcatalogs:

-   -   One collection of component items in a catalog can pertain to        eBooks, music or other component items that are published by a        particular publisher (such as Random House) or offered by a        particular merchant.    -   Another collection of component items in a catalog can pertain        to eBooks, music or other component items that feature a        particular artist.    -   Another collection of component items in a catalog can pertain        to eBooks, music or other component items that are published in        a particular timeframe (such as a collection of the most recent        books provided by a particular merchant, etc.)    -   Another collection of component items in a catalog can pertain        to eBooks, music or other component items that belong to a        defined series, such as books within a book series, periodicals        of any nature, and so on.    -   Another collection of component items in a catalog can pertain        to eBooks, music or other component items that belong to an        identified theme, such a philosophy, romance novels, cooking,        etc.    -   Another collection of component items in a catalog can pertain        to eBooks, music or other component items that are identified by        any kind of entity serving in a critical role or list-generating        role, such as the New York Times in connection with its best        seller list.    -   Another collection of component items in a catalog can pertain        to eBooks, music or other component items that are identified by        any kind of club, such as an eBook club. The club can create        lists of component items based on different types of promotional        schemes.    -   Another collection of component items in a catalog can pertain        to eBooks, music or other component items that are identified by        a particular user. A user may create such a catalog for general        publication without restriction. Or the user may create such a        catalog for dissemination to a predefined group of users, such        as to friends. In one particular case, the user can create a        catalog based on a wish list for his or her own consumption.    -   Another collection of component items can pertain to eBooks,        music or other component items that are grouped together based        on marketing-related considerations. Any of the        advertising-related provisions described above with respect to        the “Acquire Another” prompt can be applied to select items for        presentation in a catalog.    -   Another collection of component items can pertain to eBooks,        music or other component items that have a bearing on the user's        previous selections or the user's characteristics or any other        relevance-based considerations. For example, the catalog        selection module 148 can prepare a catalog of items that is        customized for the user, e.g., by selecting a group of items        that are related to items that the user has purchased in the        past (or otherwise expressed an interest in, e.g., by placing        the items in a shopping cart, etc.).

Still other bases can be used to create groups of items. Further, thesystem 100 can rely on any combination of the above factors indetermining what component items to include in a catalog.

In one implementation, a catalog may contain a static (e.g., fixed)collection of component items. In another implementation, a catalog maycontain a dynamic collection of component items. For example, thecatalog selection module 148 and catalog downloading module 150 candownload a complete copy of a catalog, and thereafter send updates whichhave the effect of modifying the contents of the catalog. Such updatescan add items to the previously-downloaded catalog, delete items, modifyexisting items, and so forth.

In one case, the catalog items can contain prompts that allow the userto acquire the component items described in the catalog in expeditedfashion. For example, the item acquisition module 138 (of FIG. 1) canallow the user to acquire a component item without entering any otherinformation or instructions beyond actuating a “Buy this Item Now” typeof prompt. This expedited handling is enabled in the same mannerdescribed above, that is, by asking the user to create an acquisitionaccount in advance of making a purchase. In another case, the itemacquisition module 138 can provide expedited acquisition, but stillrequire the user to engage in some minimal interaction with theoperations center 104, such as by asking the user to confirm variousselections, and so on.

In another case, a catalog can include one or more prompts that allowthe user to find out more information about an item before purchasing anitem. Further, the user may be given the option of entering set-upinformation at the time of purchase, and thereby forgoing the expeditedacquisition operation.

Finally, the catalogs referred to above allow the user to downloadelectronic items that are featured in the catalogs. In addition,catalogs can be created that contain prompts that allow users topurchase various “hard good” items, such as clothing articles,electronic goods, and so on. In this case, the user can purchase theseitems in expedited fashion, although, obviously, the goods need to bephysically shipped to the user, rather than downloaded to the user.

B. Exemplary Procedures

FIGS. 11-15 describe the operation of the electronic service 100 of FIG.1 in flow chart form. To facilitate discussion, certain operations aredescribed as constituting distinct blocks performed in a certain order.Such implementations are exemplary and non-limiting. Certain blocksdescribed herein can be grouped together and performed in a singleoperation, and certain blocks can be performed in an order that differsfrom the order employed in the examples set forth in this disclosure.The blocks shown in the flowcharts can be implemented by software,hardware, a combination of software and hardware, or by othertechnology, or by manual processing.

As the functions described in the flowcharts have already been set forthin Section A, Section B serves principally as a review of thosefunctions.

B.1. Item Downloading Procedure in Response to Preliminary Presentationof a Sample: Operations Center-Side Perspective

FIG. 11 shows a procedure 1100 for downloading an item to the device 102from the perspective of the operations center 104.

In block 1102, the operations center 114 receives a sample downloadevent. This event may reflect any of the triggering circumstancesdescribed above, e.g., in the context of FIG. 3A or 3B. The sampledownload event can correspond to a push-type event, where the operationscenter 104 decides to download a sample or an at least an invitation toreceive a sample without being expressly prompted to do so by the user.Or the sample download event can correspond to an express request by theuser to receive a sample.

In block 1104, the operations center 104 downloads one or more samplesto the user device 102.

In block 1106, the operations center 104 receives the user's activationof an “Acquire the Rest” or “Acquire Another” type of prompt, or similartype of prompt.

In block 1108, the operations center 104 downloads an additional part ofthe item, constituting the entire item (exclusive or inclusive of thealready-downloaded sample) or just another piece of the entire item oranother component item in an encompassing collection of component items.Alternatively, the device 102 may already store the entire content, butis prevented from accessing and consuming it because of accessrestrictions. In this case, block 1106 may correspond to simply removingthese restrictions and allowing the user to access the content.

B.2. Item Downloading Procedure in Response to Preliminary Presentationof a Sample: User Device-Side Perspective

FIG. 12 shows a download procedure 1200 from the perspective of thelocal device 102, which is the counterpart of the server-side procedure1000 shown in FIG. 10.

In block 1202, the user optionally requests a sample using any techniquedescribed above. This operation is optional because the operationscenter 104 may have used push technology to automatically provide asample to the user without being requesting to do so by the user.

In block 1204, the device 102 receives the sample.

In block 1006, the user reviews the samples, decides whether he or shewishes to acquire an additional part of the item, and if so, activatesan “Acquire the Rest” or “Acquire Another” type of prompt.

In block 1008, in response to the activation of the Acquire the Rest orAcquire Another prompt, the user receives an additional part of theitem, or the device 102 can simply remove access restrictions on contentthat the device 102 already possesses.

B.3. “Acquire Another” Procedure

FIG. 13 shows a procedure 1300 that provides additional detailsregarding the operation of the “Acquire Another” functionalityintroduced above in the context of FIGS. 4B and 4C.

In block 1302, the user acquires an initial component item through anytype of item-acquisition protocol.

In block 1304, the system 100 determines whether a predeterminedtriggering event has occurred that relates to the user's consumption ofthe initial component item. Exemplary types of triggering events wereenumerated in Section A. One triggering event occurs when the useractually reaches the end of the initial component item. Anothertriggering event occurs when a predetermined amount of time has elapsedfollowing the downloading of the initial component item. Anothertriggering event occurs when the user consumes a predetermined amount ofthe initial component item (or has yet to consume a predetermined amountof this item). Further, the user's rate of consumption can be taken intoaccount when generating the triggering event.

In block 1306, assuming that a triggering event has occurred, the system100 generates a list of one or more additional component items andassociated prompts. The prompts invite the user to purchase theassociated additional component items. The system 100 can use any one ormore of the above-described considerations in deciding what additionalcomponent items to recommend to the user (e.g., see the discussion ofFIG. 4B). For instance, the list can include: component items thatbelong to a same series (e.g., book series or periodical series);component items selected from the user's wish list; component items thatshare the same author, theme, publisher, or other characteristic(s);component items that are selected based on the user's prior purchasesand/or other selections; component items that are selected based on theuser's characteristics (e.g., demographics), and so on.

In block 1308, assuming that the user activates one of the prompts, theprocedure 1300 loops around to block 1302, where a component itemassociated with the activated prompt is downloaded to the device 102.The procedure then repeats, where the newly downloaded component itemnow serves the role of the initial component item.

B.4. Item Downloading Procedure in Response to Preliminary Downloadingof a Catalog: Operations Center-Side Perspective

FIG. 14 shows a procedure 1400 for downloading an item to the device102, from the perspective of the operations center 104.

In block 1402, the operations center 104 receives a catalog downloadevent. This event may reflect the user expressly requesting a catalog,or some other type of event.

In block 1404, the operations center 104 downloads one or more catalogsto the user device 102.

In block 1406, the operations center 104 receives the user's activationof one or more prompts provided by the downloaded catalog. The user maybe specifically requesting to acquire an item that is described in thecatalog. Or the user may be requesting to acquire just a sample of afeatured item. The user can take yet additional kinds of actions inresponse to reviewing a catalog.

In block 1408, the operations center 104 downloads the selected item tothe device 102 or otherwise makes the content available to the device102. Alternatively, this block 1408 may involve actually shipping aselected item to the user.

B.5. Item Downloading Procedure in Response to Preliminary Presentationof a Catalog: User Device-Side Perspective

FIG. 15 shows a download procedure 1500 from the perspective of thelocal device 102, which is the counterpart of the server-side procedure1300 shown in FIG. 13.

In block 1502, the user receives one or more electronic catalogs.

In block 1504, the user, in the course of browsing through a particulardownloaded catalog, requests one or more items identified in thecatalog. The user can request these items by actuating prompts in thecatalog that are associated with the items.

In block 1506, in response to the activation of the prompt(s), the userreceives the selected item(s), either by receiving downloaded electroniccontent, or by receiving shipped physical goods.

In closing, although the invention has been described in languagespecific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to beunderstood that the invention defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather,the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary forms ofimplementing the claimed invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computerized method, comprising: storinginformation associated with a user account, the information including atleast payment information and an authorization to acquire digital itemsusing an expedited process via a network; providing a first digital itemto a user device; determining that a first threshold amount of the firstdigital item has been accessed using the user device; providing, basedat least in part on the determining that the first threshold amount ofthe first digital item has been accessed using the user device, a firstmessage to the user device, the first message including a sample of asecond digital item that is a different digital item than the firstdigital item, the sample of the second digital item including apresentation of a first prompt to enable the user device to receive aremaining portion of the second digital item via the network; detectingactuation of the first prompt; providing the remaining portion of thesecond digital item; determining that a second threshold amount of thefirst digital item has been accessed using the user device; providing,based at least in part on the determining that the second thresholdamount of the first digital item has been accessed using the userdevice, a second message to the user device, the second messageincluding at least some content that is different than the firstmessage, the second message including a presentation of a second promptto enable the user device to receive additional content that isassociated with the second message via the network; detecting actuationof the second prompt; and providing the additional content that isassociated with the second message.
 2. The computerized method of claim1, wherein the providing of the first digital item comprises providing:a) textual content; or b) image content; or c) video content; or d)audio content; or e) code-bearing content; or f) hypertext protocolcontent; or g) any combination of content (a) through (f).
 3. Thecomputerized method of claim 1, further comprising: detecting that theuser device has accessed the first digital item; and transmitting thesample to the user device.
 4. The computerized method of claim 1,wherein the determining that the first threshold amount or the secondthreshold amount has been accessed includes receiving a triggering eventthat indicates that the user device is nearing completion of the firstdigital item.
 5. The computerized method of claim 4, wherein thetriggering event is based on at least one of an amount of time that haselapsed since the providing of the first digital item or a detection ofa location accessed by the user device within the first digital item. 6.The computerized method of claim 1, further comprising providing a linkwith the first message, wherein the link enables the user device toselectively receive the sample of the second digital item.
 7. Thecomputerized method of claim 1, wherein the providing of the remainingportion of the second digital item comprises providing, based at leastin part on the expedited process, the remaining portion of the seconddigital item without receiving further input from the user device. 8.The computerized method of claim 1, wherein providing the second messagecomprises providing a different sample of the second digital item. 9.The computerized method of claim 8, wherein the different sample of thesecond digital item comprises more detail about the second digital itemthan the sample of the second digital item.
 10. The computerized methodof claim 1, wherein providing the second message comprises providing athird digital item that is different than the first digital item and thesecond digital item.
 11. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein theproviding of the additional content comprises providing, based at leastin part on the expedited process, the additional content withoutreceiving further input from the user device.
 12. A computerized method,comprising: storing, by a server, information associated with a useraccount, the information including at least payment information and anauthorization to acquire digital items using an expedited process via anetwork; providing, from the server, a first digital item to a clientdevice, the first digital item being content that is part of a series ofcontent; receiving, from the client device, a first indication that afirst threshold amount of the first digital item has been accessed usingthe client device; providing, from the server to the client device, afirst message based at least in part on the receiving the firstindication, wherein the first message includes a sample of a seconddigital item that is a different digital item than the first digitalitem, the sample of the second digital item including a promptconfigured to enable the client device to receive a remaining portion ofthe second digital item from the server via the network; detectingactuation of the prompt; providing, to the client device, the remainingportion of the second digital item that is associated with the sample ofthe second digital item; receiving, from the client device, a secondindication that a second threshold amount of the first digital item hasbeen accessed using the client device; and providing, from the server tothe client device, a second message in response to receiving the secondindication, wherein the second message includes at least some contentthat is different than the first message.
 13. The computerized method ofclaim 12, wherein the providing of the remaining portion of the seconddigital item comprises providing the remaining portion of the seconddigital item while refraining from re-providing the sample of the seconddigital item.
 14. The computerized method of claim 12, wherein providingthe first digital item comprises providing a first electronic book tothe client device, and wherein the second digital item is a secondelectronic book that follows the first electronic book in the series ofcontent.
 15. The computerized method of claim 14, wherein the series ofcontent is defined by one or more of: a common author; a commonpublisher; or a story line that continues from the first digital item tothe second digital item.
 16. The computerized method of claim 12,wherein the providing second message comprises providing a differentsample of the second digital item.
 17. The computerized method of claim16, wherein the different sample of the second digital item comprisesmore detail about the second digital item than the sample of the seconddigital item.
 18. The computerized method of claim 12, wherein providingthe second message comprises providing a third digital item that isdifferent than the first digital item and the second digital item. 19.The computerized method of claim 12, wherein the providing of theremaining portion of the second digital item comprises providing, basedat least in part on the expedited process, the remaining portion of thesecond digital item without receiving further input from the clientdevice.
 20. One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage mediastoring computer-executable instructions that, when executed on one ormore processors, performs acts comprising: storing informationassociated with a user account, the information including at leastpayment information and an authorization to acquire digital items usingan expedited process via a network; providing a first digital item to auser device, the first digital item being content that is part of aseries of digital items; providing, based at least in part on adetermination that a first threshold amount of the first digital itemhas been accessed using the user device, a first message to the userdevice, the first message including a sample of a second digital itemthat is a different digital item than the first digital item and is partof the series of digital items, the sample of the second digital itemincluding a presentation of a prompt to enable the user device toreceive, from a server, a remaining portion of the second digital itemvia the network, wherein the series of digital items is a series ofbooks and the first digital item is a first electronic book and thesecond digital item is a second electronic book that follows the firstelectronic book in the series of books; receiving an actuation of theprompt associated with the second digital item; providing, based atleast in part on the actuation of the prompt, the remaining portion ofthe second digital item associated with the second digital item; andproviding, based at least in part on a determination that a secondthreshold amount of the first digital item has been accessed using theuser device, a second message to the user device, the second messageincluding at least some content that is different than the firstmessage.
 21. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storagemedia of claim 20, wherein providing the second message comprisesproviding a different sample of the second digital item.
 22. The one ormore non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 21, whereinthe different sample of the second digital item comprises more detailabout the second digital item than the sample of the second digitalitem.
 23. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage mediaof claim 20, wherein providing the second message comprises providing athird digital item that is different than the first digital item and thesecond digital item.
 24. The one or more non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media of claim 20, wherein the providing ofthe remaining portion of the second digital item comprises providing,based at least in part on the expedited process, the remaining portionof the second digital item without receiving further input from the userdevice.